Carrier tube



Jan. 17, 1956 E. A. FEUSTEL 2,730,882

CARRIER TUBE Filed Jan. 30, 1953 1 2o 25 24 i i 23- 1 I I l I I0 7 i i 7 I /0 L I j /4 I4 I i j 1 Fi .4 F15 5 y 6 INVENTOR. 5 2N657 A FEUSTL-Z BY w United States Patent CARRIER TUBE Ernest A. Feustel, Hasbrouck Heights, N. J. Application January 30, 1953, Serial No. 334,191 1 Claim. (Cl. 66-426) This invention relates to improvements in the carrier tubes for the thread carriers of hosiery machines.

With the introduction of finer gauge hosiery machines, such as 66 and even 72 gauge, the discharge end of carrier tubes must be of smaller diameter relative to the gauge of the machines. However, the holes in the tubes through which the threads slide are not susceptible of further reduction, because, if further reduced, it would be difiicult, if not impossible, to thread-up and feed the threads through the holes. Knots especially will not pass through and the thread will break. It has been further found that, due to variations in the structure from which the tubes are made, one circumferential groove in that portion of the tube believed to be the weakest part of the tube may not provide the desired amount of safety.

It is an object of the instant invention to disclose a safety carrier tube especially suited to finer gauge hosiery machines.

Another object is to disclose a carrier tube in which the lower portion of the carrier tube has an outside diameter substantially less than that of the present dimension of fine gauge tubes.

A further object is to disclose a carrier tube having greater safety features than similar known tubes.

Other objects of the instant invention will become apparent in the course of the following specification.

In the attainment of the aforesaid objectives, the improved carrier tube is made in two embodiments. In the first embodiment, the external diameter of the carrier tube is abruptly reduced adjacent the bottom'relative to that at the top to provide a line of breakagein a tube of small diameter. In the second embodiment, the external diameter of the carrier tube is tapered inwardly and downwardly adjacent the bottom to provide a tube of small diameter. To spaced circumferential lines of breakage in the tapered portion of the tube provide additional protection in those cases where the structure of the material from which the tube is made is uneven.

The invention will be understood more readily from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings showing by way of example the preferred embodiments of the inventive concept.

In the drawings:

Figures 1-5 show the first embodiment of the carrier tube constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention, and in which:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of the carrier tube;

Figure 2 is a sectional view along 2-2 of Figure 1, enlarged;

Figure 3 is a sectional view along 3-6 of Figure 1, also enlarged;

Figure 4 is an elevational view of the carrier tube shown in Figure I inserted in a thread carrier; and

Figure 5 is a side view of the carrier tube and thread carrier shown in Figure 4.

Figures 6-7 show the second embodiment of the carrier tube, and in which:

Figure 6 is a fragmentary elevational view of the carrier tube; and

Figure 7 is a sectional view along 7--7 of Figure 6.

Referring now in greater detail to the first embodiment of the carrier tube shown in Figures 1-5, reference numeral 10 indicates the carrier tube, and 11 the thread carrier for the tube.

The thread carrier 11 is of well known type and is designed for the removable insertion of the following described carrier tube 10.

The carrier tube 10 is a cylindrical body and through which is a longitudinal bore 12 for the thread (not shown).

The lower portion 15 of the tube I0 is of abruptly reduced outside diameter relative to the upper portion 16, so that a shoulder 13 is formed intermediate the two portions. The reduced outside diameter of the lower portion 15 permits the use of the tubes with very fine gauge hosiery machines, but in no way impairs the life of the tube. The discharging end 14 of the tube 10 is nearly half-round, as most clearly shown in Figure 3, and the thread passing through that end does not touch the outer-half of the half-round edge, since it is at nearly thereto. Thus, the tube of varying outside diameter in no way impairs the utility thereof and at the same time provides a safety factor around the circumferential line of the shoulder 13 where breakage under normal conditions will occur first if the tube accidently touches a sinker.

Referring now in greater detail to the second embodiment of the carrier tube shown in Figures 6 and 7, reference numeral 20 indicates the carrier tube designed for use with the known and previously mentioned thread carrier 11.

The carrier tube 20 is a cylindrical body having a uniform longitudinal bore 21 through which the thread (not shown) is inserted.

The upper portion 22 of the tube 20 has an outside diameter greater than that of the lower portion 23, as illustrated. The lower portion 23 at the top flares outwardly and upwardly, as further illustrated, to the bottom of the upper portion. Otherwise expressed, the bottom of the upper portion 22 is tapered inwardly and downwardly to the top of the lower portion 23. As in the case of the first embodiment, the carrier tube 20 of the second embodiment has a wall of greater thickness in the upper portion than in the lower portion and adapted for use with hosiery machines of fine gauge.

However, the carrier tube 20 has no shoulder interconnecting different outer diameters to provide a preselected line of breakage as in the first embodiment. In place of the shoulder, the carrier tube 20 has a circumferential groove 24 at the top of the lower portion 23 and a second circumferential groove 25 in upwardly spaced arrangement relative to the groove 24.

The two spaced grooves are provided to permit a carrier tube to break in one or the other intended positions. Cases arise where the crystalline structure of the tube is other than uniform and by that non-uniformity may prevent breakage along one of the grooves while breaking along the other. Of course, the groove 24 is around one of the weakest portions of the tube.

Operation of the carrier tubes will be apparent from the preceding detailed description.

While there are above disclosed but two embodiments of the invention herein presented, it is possible to produce still other embodiments without departing from the inventive concept herein disclosed, and it is desired therefore that only such limitations be imposed on the appended claim as are stated therein, or required b y I i eter s aid bodyhaying formed therein a circumferential groove at'the bottom of theflaring portion and a second circumferential groove "Pin the flaring portion adjacent the first-mentioned groove.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED SIA-"EES :PATENTS 2,218,976 Weisbecker Oct. 22, 1940 2,275,848 Feustl Mar. 10, 1942 2,302,727 Weisheeker -n Nov, 24, 1942 2,600,935 Spindler June 17, 1952 2,656,693 Newton 'Oct. 27,1953 

